Westin on Seven Mile

Old Sep 16th, 2004, 08:14 AM
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Westin on Seven Mile

I can not contact the hotel directly (line busy); however, I did speak with one of Starwood's representatives and the Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa is to re-open October 31. I guess our trip is still on for the end of November. I do not know if the beach is still there.
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Old Sep 16th, 2004, 08:21 AM
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Really? That soon? I think you should keep checking with them weekly.
As I'm sure you know, construction/repair projects rarely finish on time.
Are you comfortable going or are you iffy about it?
Were they open to you getting your money back if you didn't want to go?
We're scheduled to go in February, staying at the Hyatt. They said they'll be ready in December. We'll see.
 
Old Sep 16th, 2004, 08:32 AM
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caribtraveler - this is just a tenative date. If the beach is still there, we will go through with the trip. My husband wants to wait until the weekend to make a final decision. I would fill more comfortable in your shoes.
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Old Sep 16th, 2004, 08:39 AM
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caribtraveler - this is just a tenative date. If the beach is still there, we will go through with the trip. My husband wants to wait until the weekend to make a final decision. I would feel more comfortable in your shoes.
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Old Sep 16th, 2004, 09:04 AM
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I just spoke to someone on Cayman and he said residents there have been told that they will not have power for several MONTHS. Unless the hotel has its own generator (and with a large property you would need several), it would be unrelistic to expect that they will be open in November. Also, from what he said, everything that is not concrete was destroyed, so things like restaurants and shops outside the hotel may be gone as well. You probably should plan to go to another place.
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Old Sep 16th, 2004, 10:08 AM
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Thank you for the update. We will definetly look for another vacation. I just hope that we don't have too much of a hassle trying to cancel. We booked directly through Starwood hotel website and this is the one time I did not get insurance on a trip. Ugh!
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Old Sep 17th, 2004, 07:21 AM
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There's a great website to check out hundreds of photo's of GC after the storm. Not sure how many are on the northside but there's a ton of pictures that tell the true story. here's the link:

http://www.davidolson.com/Cayman/nfp...&cat=-2&pos=16

just cut & paste this address into the address bar, and it'll take you somewhere in the middle of the album. If you click on "last uploads" it will take you to the beginning.

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Old Sep 17th, 2004, 07:10 PM
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Thank you ScottB, there is no way these poor people are going to be able to handle day to day operation let alone tourist in the up coming months. I love that so many people are still in good spirit on the island.
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Old Sep 18th, 2004, 02:39 PM
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I have to say, I initially had no urge to scroll through 700 pics. I visited last April and loved GC. The pics are heartbreaking and am slowly viewing them all. I cannot believe my eyes, considering that I was there months ago. Thanks for sharing the site. I hope that GC is restored quickly.
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Old Sep 18th, 2004, 07:01 PM
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Good news from The Reef resort on the East End! (Check out their website, www.thereef.com.ky)
According to their website:

Grand Cayman will be back in business
no later than the end of October !

Staff at The Reef Resort are alive and okay in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.
All guests were evacuated safely before Ivan struck the island.

Hurricane Ivan came calling... there is sand in the swimming pool... the resort was fortunate to have sustained little serious damage. The Reef will be partially operational within days and will reopen within 6 weeks.

Damage/Progress Report :
- 36 units were basically untouched.
- 8 units and the first floor of the main building sustained significant damage.
- Restaurant was virtually unscathed.
- A reservations system will be online by September 25th.

 
Old Sep 20th, 2004, 08:25 AM
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http://www-shd-1.candw.ky/gallery2/main.php/view/ivan/
Here are a few more photos of Grand Cayman. These people need help!
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Old Sep 22nd, 2004, 08:10 AM
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myself and my husband were due to go there for new years as my aunt lives there. she has told us that he house is destroyed, there is no electricity on the island, there are rats running through the ruined houses, people are sleeping in tents in their gardens, women and children have been evacutaed off the island and the men remaining are sharing accomodation.

she says it will take about 5 years before the island is back to the way it was. also the government are blocking any news of the destruction coming from the island so that the tourism business won't suffer but the place is a mess.

we have had to cancel our trip and don't know where to go now.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2004, 06:09 PM
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Natasha,

We are in the same boat. We have gone yearly to Grand Cayman and now are looking for someplace else to go, if only for this next year's April trip. I think it would be too hard for us to see right now, and I know some are getting flamed for saying that, but it's true, nonetheless. An acquaintance of ours has her grown children living on GC, and they told her that they would wait for at least a year before coming, it is that bad.

We are still waffling between the BVI's, Turks and Caicos and Hawaii. I wish you much luck!
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Old Sep 25th, 2004, 04:21 PM
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It is bad here... but not that bad... and things are moving very fast. Cayman is the wealthiest island in the Caribbean, hence we are very well insured indeed.. (the place is swarming with insurance assessors!).. and the relief goods are getting through to those who need them the most, while those who have resources are simply buying things at the supermarket as usual and leaving the Red Cross supplies for those who need.

Things will be back... The Reef (my place) will be one of the first open, but if you have any hesitation, don't come this year... but do come anytime after January 1st... and you will receive a very, very warm welcome.
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Old Oct 9th, 2004, 05:32 AM
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Westin's open?

http://www.caymannetnews.com/pdf_news/15.jpg

 
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